DAILY DIGEST: From drought to deluge and back again – working landscapes address the challenges; State Water Board invests $4.5M in recycled water research; Trump’s ‘puddle and ditch’ order will have destructive ripple effect; and more …

In California water news today, From drought to deluge and back again – working landscapes address the challenges; WE&RF To Receive $4.5M Grant From California State Water Board For Recycled Water Research; OC’s ‘toilet to tap’ drinking water a tough sell even on a hot day; Heat wave should not hinder dam repairs, contractor says; California sees some of highest temperatures ever recorded during heat wave; Trump’s ‘puddle and ditch’ order will have destructive ripple effect; and more …

On the calendar today …

• The Delta Stewardship Council meets this morning at the Holiday Inn, 300 J Street, at 8am.  The first hour is a closed executive session on litigation; the meeting will reconvene in open session beginning at approximately 9:15 am.  Agenda items include action items on the Conveyance, Storage, and Operations Amendment and Performance Measures, and an update on the Delta Levee Investment Strategy.  To read the meeting notice, please click here.  Click here to watch on webcast.
• Tonight in Menlo Park and on webcast, the USGS will give a lecture on The Effects of Climate Change:  Tom Suchanek, USGS (Scientist Emeritus) Western Ecological Research Center, and UC Davis (Research Associate) Bodega Marine Lab and Dept. of Wildlife, Fish & Conservation Biology will discuss the frequency of extreme and unpredictable weather events is increasing; what are the effects of an increase or decrease in carbon emissions; and what is scientific research projecting for the future of climate change.  Click here for more information.

In the news today …

From drought to deluge and back again – working landscapes address the challenges:  “Climate scientists report that future weather patterns are unpredictable and advise us to get ready for more multi-year droughts followed by bursts of excessive rainfall. Common sense dictates that we build water reserves during rainy years that will carry us through the lean years. While dams have been the reserve strategy in the past, recent experience has shown they have limitations.  UC Merced scientist Mohammad Safeeq has pointed to groundwater storage as a viable option, noting that California has enough unused groundwater storage capacity to hold 850 to 1,300 million-acre feet of water. This dwarfs the state’s current surface water storage capacity of 42 million-acre feet.  Sadly, as mechanized agriculture has expanded and our cities and towns have grown, we have drained or paved over much of the landscape that filled groundwater reserves for centuries. … ”  Read more from the California Economic Summit here:  From drought to deluge and back again – working landscapes address the challenges

Heat wave should not hinder dam repairs, contractor says:  “Work at the Oroville Dam will carry on in spite of the 110 degree-plus temperatures anticipated this week.  There are protections in place for construction employees with the contractor, Kiewit, and concrete has to undergo a cooling techniques to be able to keep applying it, said Jeff Petersen, the company’s project director in a press conference call Wednesday morning. … ”  Read more from the Oroville Mercury Register here:  Heat wave should not hinder dam repairs, contractor says

California sees some of highest temperatures ever recorded during heat wave:  “The heat wave hitting Southern California this week is one for the record books.  Temperatures topped 100 in the valleys and 120 in the low desert. Death Valley hit 127 — seven degrees shy of the hottest temperature ever recorded on the planet.  The National Weather Service said temperatures in some low desert locations were “among the highest ever recorded.” … ”  Read more from the LA Times here:  California sees some of highest temperatures ever recorded during heat wave

Trump’s ‘puddle and ditch’ order will have destructive ripple effect:  “As President Donald Trump signed one of his first executive orders, he was surrounded by smiling, clapping homebuilders, farmers and other supporters eager to see the new president rein in a 45-year-old law protecting the nation’s waterways.  The Environmental Protection Agency has “truly run amok” by saving “nearly every puddle or every ditch on a farmer’s land,” Trump told the gathering. Calling it a “massive power grab,” he added, “if you want to build a new home … you have to worry about getting hit with a huge fine if you fill in as much as a puddle – just a puddle – on your lot.”  But these so-called puddles and ditches, according to scientists across the country, are fundamental to the nation’s drinking water supplies and to wildlife, including many rare animals and plants. … ”  Read more from Reveal News here:  Trump’s ‘puddle and ditch’ order will have destructive ripple effect

In commentary today …

Nothing secret about the new dam legislation, says DWR’s Bill Croyle:  He writes, “Re “California Legislature votes to keep dam-safety plans secret” (sacbee.com, June 15): There was nothing secret about the new dam safety legislation. Far from slipping the bill into the public domain as suggested, the language was posted on March 8, shared with Republican and Democratic staff in the Senate and the Assembly on March 10, and raised in budget subcommittee hearings on March 16 and 22. The Bee misinterpreted the intent of the legislation ... ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here:  Nothing secret about the new dam legislation

To help the Delta, we need to fix the Sierra, says John Kingsbury, Mountain Counties Water Resources Association:  “California is hell-bent on draining the Sierra by taking water from one region to meet the environmental needs of another.  Though essential to the survival of the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta, the Sierra Nevada watershed is rarely recognized for its natural resources and significance.  Environmental groups want more water for fish in the Delta and are willing to sacrifice the quality of life of Sierra communities with permanent and forced water rationing. It is about extracting resources from the Sierra to satisfy downstream interests – first gold, then timber and now water. ... ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here:  To help the Delta, we need to fix the Sierra

Local control is best approach for secure water future, says Roseville Mayor Susan Rohan:  She writes, “As we watch the melting Sierra snowpack rush by and put the drought behind us, serious discussions are underway at the state capitol about how to best plan for the next time of water scarcity. Local and state leaders, scientists and research organizations are weighing in with data and recommended policies.  Most recently, the respected Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) published a major report: “Building Drought Resilience in California’s Cities and Suburbs.” Notably, it confirms that most local water suppliers were well-prepared for the recent drought because of extensive investments in developing their local supplies, increasing efficiency and water reuse systems. … ”  Read more from the Roseville Press-Tribune here:  Local control is best approach for secure water future

In regional news and commentary today …

Oroville’s Riverbend Park will be different when its rebuilt:  “When Riverbend Park in Oroville is rebuilt, it will look quite a bit different than it did before high water scoured it during the Oroville Dam spillway emergency.  A number of features that were destroyed or damaged by the floods will be replaced, paid for by the Feather River Recreation and Park District’s insurance, supplemented by money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. But changing building codes and an awareness it’s a good idea to work with the river, means the replacements might be in different places. … ”  Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here:  Oroville’s Riverbend Park will be different when its rebuilt

Half Moon Bay: California moving to seize public beach closed off by tech billionaire:  “California is taking steps to seize control of private land leading to a pristine stretch of secluded beach property south of Half Moon Bay, with the hope of restoring public access.  Martins Beach in San Mateo County was closed to the public after tech billionaire Vinod Khosla purchased nearly 90 acres of beachfront property in 2008. The venture capitalist locked the gated entry to the beach, posted “do not enter signs” and hired security guards to keep people out.  In lawsuits, he argues the beach is private property. But a bill from state Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, would allow the State Lands Commission to direct $1 million into a new fund set up solely for the Martins Beach land acquisition, and possibly use eminent domain to take control of 6.4 acres sought to guarantee public access. ... ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here:  California moving to seize public beach closed off by tech billionaire

Soquel Creek Water District inches forward on water supply studies:  “The Soquel Creek Water District has not yet settled on a future project to provide its customers with a supplementary water supply source, but it is taking strides toward its investigation of water projects.  On Tuesday night, the district board approved a nonbinding agreement with the city of Santa Cruz to allow the district to purchase some of its treated wastewater to purify it before funneling it back into underground supply areas. … ”  Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel here:  Soquel Creek Water District inches forward on water supply studies

Morro Bay: Fishermen, once blocked by conservationists, now work with them:  “Morro Bay, a town on California’s central coast, touts itself as a fishing community. Fishing has been vital for the town’s economy, but it collapsed at the turn of the century because of overfishing and subsequent federal regulation.  Fishermen were offered some relief money for their losses, but the industry was left for dead. Now, things are on the upswing thanks to an unlikely partnership between local fishermen and environmental group The Nature Conservancy. Bob Maharry’s been fishing in Morro Bay for 42 years and said his profession fills him with a sense of community. He watches fondly from the dock as a boat pulls up carrying 50,000 pounds of wiggling, purplish squid and the crew prepares to unload it. … ”  Read more from Marketplace here:  Morro Bay: Fishermen, once blocked by conservationists, now work with them

Asian clam control implemented at Lake Tahoe:  “An Asian clam control project is expected to continue at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, Sand Harbor from mid-June through November, according to the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Program.  The goal of the clam control project, a collaboration between the Nevada Division of State Lands, Nevada State Parks and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, is to treat a small, isolated population of Asian clams at Sand Harbor before they spread to an unmanageable level, according to a press release. … ”  Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune here:  Asian clam control implemented at Lake Tahoe

Oakdale Irrigation District finalizes annexation to add 10,000+ acres:  “Oakdale Irritation District (OID) recently completed an annexation deal that was in the works for several years, adding 10,476 acres to the district’s service area, bringing the total area served to 82,821 acres.  The 10,476 acres of new annexations is a commitment of nearly 32,000 acre-feet of water supplied by OID, which is more water on an annual basis than committed by the Modesto Irrigation District to its water plant as well as the South San Joaquin Irrigation District water plant serving Tracy and Manteca. … ”  Read more from the Oakdale Leader here:  Oakdale Irrigation District finalizes annexation to add 10,000+ acres

Kings River snowmelt may have peaked:  “People nervously watching the river rise in Kingsburg and northeastern Kings County over the last few days may be able to start breathing sighs of relief: It appears that snowmelt runoff may have peaked this week.  That’s according to Randy McFarland, a spokesman for the Kings River Water Association, the organization that monitors the river for irrigation purposes.  McFarland said Wednesday that inflows into Pine Flat Lake, the man-made reservoir created by Pine Flat Dam, had started to inch downward after cresting above 20,000 cubic feet per second on Tuesday. ... ”  Read more from the Hanford Sentinel here:  Kings River snowmelt may have peaked

Tulare County moves forward on becoming GSA:  “In 2015 the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) forced stakeholders, governments and all interested parties to the table. Together they had to figure out how to manage groundwater themselves in order to keep the State of California from doing it themselves. Now, two years later there have been a great deal of clamoring over groundwater, surface water and boundaries with everything coming to a head this month.  Water running below Tulare County is soon to be managed by a number of different Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA). But that is not the case for every parcel of property in the County. … ”  Read more from the Foothills Sun Gazette here:  Tulare County moves forward on becoming GSA

Owens Valley: It’s the massive runoff – officials have been preparing:  “Last week, we asked a few of the agencies watching record snow fall melt and surge into the Owens Valley when to expect the big run-off—an event they’ve all been preparing for over the last four or five months.  Their answer: this week.  After near to below normal temps and little rainfall this spring, Mother Nature let loose with a heat wave and mountain rain squalls. Last Friday, the Big Pine Creek was sending 70 cubic feet per second down the bypass leaving a safe 200 cfs to course through town.  … ”  Read more from the Sierra Wave here:  It’s the massive runoff – officials have been preparing

County grand jury report water agencies’ management of Cachuma Reservoir amid continuing drought:  “A recent Santa Barbara County grand jury report questioned the efficacy of local water agencies and their ability to collaborate effectively in managing local water supplies.  Aimed at addressing ongoing issues exacerbated by the drought, the report said there is “inadequate coordination” among local water purveyors. The report also listed a number of measures to help supplement water stores in the county or manage them more efficiently.  A focal point of the report is the Cachuma Lake Reservoir and the Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board (COMB), a joint powers agency that oversees the distribution and transportation of the reservoir’s water to its member agencies. The reservoir, which began in 1953 after the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation built the Bradbury Dam, serves five different water districts in South County and in Santa Ynez. … ”  Read more from the Santa Maria Sun here:  County grand jury report water agencies’ management of Cachuma Reservoir amid continuing drought

Court of Appeals rules in San Diego County Water Authority’s favor:  “A Court of Appeal ruled in favor of the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) Wednesday in a key rate case against the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of Southern California.  According to a statement released by the Water Authority, the court ruled MWD collected millions of dollars’ in illegal charges from ratepayers in San Diego. The Water Authority is also entitled to tens of thousands of acre-feet more water from the district than it had calculated, according to the ruling. ... ”  Read more from NBC 7 here:  Court of Appeals rules in San Diego County Water Authority’s favor

Climate change is shrinking the Colorado River:  “The nation’s two largest reservoirs, Lake Mead on the Arizona/Nevada border and Lake Powell on the Arizona/Utah border, were brim full in the year 2000. Four short years later, they had lost enough water to supply California its legally apportioned share of Colorado River water for more than five years. Now, 17 years later, they still have not recovered.  This ongoing, unprecedented event threatens water supplies to Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, Tucson, Denver, Salt Lake City, Albuquerque and some of the most productive agricultural lands anywhere in the world. It is critical to understand what is causing it so water managers can make realistic water use and conservation plans. ... ”  Read more from Water Deeply here:  Climate change is shrinking the Colorado River

And lastly …

A massive earthquake was reported in California yesterday – by mistake:  “Scores of people around the world received reports on their email accounts and Twitter feeds Wednesday, alerting them to a powerful earthquake with a magnitude potentially capable of causing buildings to crumble.  A 6.8-magnitude earthquake reportedly hit the Pacific Ocean about 10 miles from Santa Barbara, Calif., the U.S. Geological Survey alert stated.  A minute after the alert, at 4:52 p.m. Pacific time, the Los Angeles Times automatically published a story to its website — and a tweet to its account — alerting readers to the report of the earthquake.  The alert sent droves of reporters and others in California and beyond searching for information about the quake. Surely millions of people would have felt a tremor of that magnitude. But why was no one tweeting about it? … ”  Read more from the LA Times here:  A massive earthquake was reported in California yesterday – by mistake

Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

• SCIENCE NEWS: California’s mercury legacy; Seasonal rain and snow trigger small earthquakes on California faults; Why the world’s rivers are losing sediment – and why it matters; and more …
• THIS JUST IN … Court of Appeal rules on San Diego-Metropolitan rate case; both sides claim victory

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About the Daily Digest: The Daily Digest is a collection of selected news articles, commentaries and editorials appearing in the mainstream press. Items are generally selected to follow the focus of the Notebook blog. The Daily Digest is published every weekday with a weekend edition posting on Sundays.